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Shelter for yourself and your family during a disaster is the topic for March 2011 on website http://www.do1thing.us

Knowledge and preparation for a local disaster could be
crucial. Because everyone is vulnerable to hazards such as tornados or
disasters like a chemical or hazardous materials spill, individuals, families
and businesses should be disaster resilient. The Michigan based emergency
preparedness website www.do1thing.us has designated March as shelter month.

Each month, www.do1thing.us
highlights a different phase of emergency preparedness. By completing one of
the simple monthly tasks, participants are one step closer to better
preparedness for any emergency. Preparedness does not have to be hard or
expensive. The monthly task in March 2011 is to grasp how to respond when given
instructions to evacuate or to take shelter. Ideas for March include:

Identifying the best tornado shelter at home and in the workplace;

Talking to your child’s school regarding their sheltering
procedures;

Assembling a “go-bag” in case you are asked to evacuate the
home;

Having a leash or pet carrier to evacuate or contain your
pet during an emergency.

In some emergencies you may be asked to “shelter in place”. That
means making the place where you are, a safe place to stay until the emergency has
concluded. We Midwesterners are used to sheltering in place during winter
storms, but it also be necessary during a chemical or hazardous-materials
release. The shelter-in-place strategy is called for when it’s too dangerous
for you to leave your home or workplace. Notification for this type of alert
may be given door-to-door by first responders or even by loud speakers from
police or fire vehicles.

The first thing to consider during a hazardous materials release
is gathering information. If responders are not in your immediate area, turn on
the television or radio to determine if your area is affected and what to do. If
you are told to shelter in place you should close all doors and windows, shut
off fans and air conditioners. Shelter in place may also be used during an
infectious disease outbreak as an isolation or quarantine measure to slow the
spread of the disease. Contact your local health department to learn more about
disease response plans in your community

In other situations, an evacuation shelter may be opened
nearby. If you are evacuated to a shelter, take a go-bag containing important
items such as:

a list of prescription medicine

personal items like toothbrushes and soap

insurance information

pet supplies

diapers

baby formula

a change of clothes for every family member

A more complete list of items for your go-bag can be found
at the www.do1thing.us website.

In an emergency or disaster situation securing shelter is
one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. Planning
for disasters before they occur increases the margin of safety for everyone. For
more information on Sheltering, assembling your go-bag or the “1 thing” you can
do each month, visit www.do1thing.us